Kingdom of Shirvan
Also known as Shirvanshahs' State, Shirvan State
The Shirvanshahs (singular: Shirvanshah, from Persian , ) were the rulers of Shirvan (in present-day Azerbaijan) from 861 to 1538. Their realm was referred to as the Kingdom of Shirvan (; ) in writings completed during or shortly after its existence. The first ruling line were the Yazidids, an originally Arab and later Persianized dynasty, who became known as the Kasranids (also referred to as the Khaqanids). The second ruling line were the Darbandids, distant relatives of the Yazidids/Kasranids.
Key facts
- Country.conventional_long_name
- Kingdom of Shirvan
- Country.image_coat
- Coat of arms of Shirvan.svg
- Country.common_name
- Shirvan
- Country.era
- Middle Ages and the Early modern period
- Country.government_type
- Governorship, later monarchy
- Country.year_start
- 861
- Country.year_end
- 1538
- Country.p1
- Abbasid Caliphate
- Country.s1
- Safavid Iran
- Country.image_map
- Caucasus 1311 AD map de alt.svg
- Country.image_map_caption
- Map of the Caucasus in 1311, with Shirvan located on the far right
- Country.capital
- Shamakhi (initially)Baku (later)
~17 min read
Article
10 sectionsContents
- Background
- History
- First line (861–1382)
- Second line (1382–1538)
- Culture
- Military
- Notes
- References
- Sources
- Further reading
The Shirvanshahs (singular: Shirvanshah, from Persian , ) were the rulers of Shirvan (in present-day Azerbaijan) from 861 to 1538. Their realm was referred to as the Kingdom of Shirvan (; ) in writings completed during or shortly after its existence. The first ruling line were the Yazidids, an originally Arab and later Persianized dynasty, who became known as the Kasranids (also referred to as the Khaqanids). The second ruling line were the Darbandids, distant relatives of the Yazidids/Kasranids.
The Shirvanshahs ruled from 861 to 1538, one of the most enduring dynasties of the Islamic world. At times they were independent, often they had to recognize the overlordship of neighbouring empires. The dynasty is known for its patronage of culture, such as during the 12th century, when their realm served as the focal point for Persian literature, attracting distinguished poets such as Khaqani, Nizami Ganjavi, Falaki Shirvani, etc. In 1382, the Shirvanshahs' throne was taken by Ibrahim I (), thus marking the start of the Darbandid line.